Publications
RCN publications cover a wide range of topics varying from clinical guidance to employment relations issues to advice on bullying.
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3 Nov 2026
RCN Industrial Action Handbook
Publication Code : 012 715This updated handbook explains the RCN’s framework for industrial action, covering legal requirements, approval processes, member responsibilities, and dispute resolution. It outlines types of action, including strikes and action short of a strike, and details the steps required before action can take place, including negotiations, ballots, and approval by RCN Council. Guidance is provided on patient safety, derogations, picketing, and professional obligations during disputes. It also explains legal protections, strike benefits, governance structures, and procedures for resolving and ending industrial action. The handbook includes country-specific legal variations across the UK and Crown Dependencies, ensuring members understand their rights, responsibilities, and the rules governing lawful industrial action.
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22 Oct 2026
The Case for Investment in Nursing Education in England – October 2026
Publication Code : 012 720This report makes the case, ahead of the 2026 UK government budget for investing in the education of nurses. The nursing profession an essential component of the government achieving its aims to bring growth to every postcode. Our report advocates for a loan forgiveness model to drive recruitment and retention of nurses, highlighting the challenges facing students and the higher education sector since the removal of the bursary.
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29 Sep 2026
Facilities Time - Securing reasonable time off for your rep duties
Publication Code : 012 666Facilities time is the paid time off that accredited trade union representatives (reps) are legally entitled to to carry out their union duties and the training required to fulfil the role. This resource covers how to secure reasonable time off for your rep duties.
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29 Sep 2026
Facilities Time for RCN Representatives - A guide for line managers
Publication Code : 012 667Facilities time is the paid time off that accredited trade union representatives (reps) are legally entitled to to carry out their union duties and the training required to fulfil the role. This resource is a guide for line managers.
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29 Sep 2026
RCN Facilities Time Policy Statement
Publication Code : 012 657Facilities time is the paid time off that accredited trade union representatives (reps) are legally entitled to to carry out their union duties and the training required to fulfil the role. This resource is the RCN Facilities Time Policy Statement.
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22 Sep 2026
In Short Supply: Estimating the shortfall of registered nurses in the NHS in England
Publication Code : 012 701Registered nurses are integral to the delivery of key public services; accounting, for example, for half (49%) of professionally qualified clinical staff in NHS hospital and community services. But are there enough?
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17 Sep 2026
From Boom to Bust: The consequences of the unplanned supply of nurses in England
Publication Code : 012 698This report highlights the factors contributing to the marked variations in the annual number of newly registered nurses entering the labour market in England in recent decades and pinpoints any related limitations in national nurse workforce policy and planning. It includes key points that must be considered in improving the national approach to nurse workforce policy and planning in England.
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16 Sep 2026
Pathways to Settlement for Internationally Educated Nurses: Findings from an international comparison
Publication Code : 012 626This briefing highlights the key findings of a comparative analysis of different countries’ pathways to settlement for internationally educated nurses undertaken by MigrationWork CIC and commissioned by the RCN. It highlights the existing and proposed UK policies for settlement and their potential impacts for the nursing workforce.
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9 Sep 2026
Registered Nurse-to-Patient Ratios: A synthesis of current guidance in the UK
Publication Code : 012 611Nursing is a safety critical profession. The work of registered nurses consists of many specialised and complex interventions, interwoven skilful expertise and surveillance. The RCN endorses enforceable minimum registered nurse-to-patient ratios, ensuring staffing levels do not fall to dangerously low levels and helping protect patients and nursing staff from avoidable harm. Across diverse settings, nursing presence and vigilance is critical to the safety of people, the prevention of avoidable harm and the management of risks. This resource makes explicit the information that is available (and not available) on registered nurse-to-patient ratios identified in staffing guidelines for different specialties. Where a ratio has been identified in published guidance, it may be valuable for staff and managers to refer to as part of discussions on what nurse staffing levels should be, in a meaningful way. It accompanies Why Registered Nurse-to-Patient Ratios are Needed: The rationale and evidence base (publication code: 012 610)
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9 Sep 2026
Why Registered Nurse-to-Patient Ratios are Needed: The rationale and evidence base
Publication Code : 012 610The RCN’s commitment to safe staffing has been long-standing and remains a priority. This document sets out an evidence-based argument for using enforceable minimum registered nurse staffing levels (often described as registered nurse-to-patient ratios) to reduce patient safety risks, improve nurse wellbeing, enhance nurse recruitment and retention, and improve the cost efficiency of health and social care service delivery. It accompanies Registered Nurse-to-Patient Ratios: A synthesis of current guidance in the UK (publication code: 012 611).
